— By Pennsylvania State Police outside the pharmacy of the Chambersburg Wal-Mart, 1730 Lincoln Way East. Needles will not be accepted by Pennsylvania State Police.

The service is free and anonymous and no questions are asked.

The initiative addresses a public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs, according to news releases from police.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.